PROLONGED freezing conditions are causing major problems for wildlife in Lancashire, according to experts.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust said many animals are having to work harder to survive in the freezing temperatures.

And the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said some species were ‘on the brink’ as they were fighting a daily battle to find food just to survive.

The cold snap is also forcing animals to adapt which has lead to reports of some species changing habits in order to find vital supplies.

Twitchers have seen yellowhammers and members of the thrush families, which are normally only native to the coutryside, venturing into urban areas.

And pet foods stores such as Pets at Home have seen bird food fly off the shelf.

A spokesperson for the company said that nationally more than 1,000 tons of bird food had been sold in the last six weeks.

Small creatures which feed mainly on seeds and vegetation are facing a tougher time than predatory animals, James Ellaby at Lancashire Wildlife Trust said.

He said meat eaters could feasibly eat one meal and have enough energy for one day but herbivores – non-meat eaters – were constantly on the lookout for food.

The trust said the snow and icy conditions was also making grazing, for domestic and wild animals, difficult and there was less food in woodland as plants had withered or were covered with snow.

Mr Ellaby said: “Not many of our mammals actually hibernate for long periods during winter, they simply prefer to sleep when it gets cold, occasionally emerging to see what food might be available.

“But when severe weather hits, it’s much harder for mammals like badgers, hares, stoats and foxes to graze, forage or hunt for food.

“Already we’re seeing foxes being more bold and more active in broad daylight.

“It can cause problems for some insects too.”

Some birds of prey such as Stoats and Owls are finding it difficult to catch animals because they are not venturing out to find food.

A spokesman for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said: “The prolonged wintry weather is pushing many UK birds to the brink, including those in Lancashire.

“It is a daily battle for survival.

“All birds are at risk from the cold but those with smaller bodies are more vulnerable. There have been reports of birds which are rarely found in gardens venturing from the countryside in order to find food.

“Larger birds of prey such as the Sparrow Hawk are finding it much easier to find birds as they are not aware of what’s going on around them and they are slower.

“Those birds that can adapt are doing so those that can’t will have difficulty surviving.

“That is where we come in. A birds survival relies on food, water and shelter.”

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s conservation director, said the charity was acting to help birds after learning from previous cold snaps.

He said: “The extremely hard winter spanning 1962 and 1963 was arguably the single event that had the greatest impact on Britain’s wildlife within living memory.

“With the icy weather predicted to last at least another week, this winter could be the single greatest wildlife killer of the new millennium.

“We have begun emergency feeding initiatives for threatened birds to try and help. It is likely that the legacy of this hard winter will be seen in bird populations for years to come.”

Domesticated animals have also been suffering during the cold spell, with farmers struggling to get to sheep to feed them and extra feed has had to be made available.

Chris Bailey, owner of Bowland Wild Boar Park, said: “Although we look after our animals there have been changes in their behaviour.

“For example during feeding time they will walk straight to the food we are putting out, they are not wandering into the surrounding fields to graze.”

People are being asked to do their bit to help wildlife in the county.

Residents are being encouraged to put out extra food and water in the garden to provide animals with an extra source of food, including bird seed mixtures.

People can also help by not overly tidying the garden as they can provide shelter for insects and if it is safe to do so break ice on rivers, ponds or lakes.